Guido Van Rossum is Python's principal author, and his continuing central role in deciding the direction of Python is reflected in the title given to him by the Python community, Benevolent Dictator for Life (BDFL).

The Python implementation is under an open source license that makes it freely usable and distributable, even for commercial use. The Python license is administered by the Python Software Foundation.

Some of its key distinguishing features include:

very clear, readable syntax

strong introspection capabilities

intuitive object orientation

natural expression of procedural code

full modularity, supporting hierarchical packages

exception-based error handling

very high level dynamic data types

extensive standard libraries and third party modules for virtually every task

extensions and modules easily written in C, C++

embeddable within applications as a scripting interface

Large organizations that make use of Python include Youtube, BitTorrent, Google, Yahoo!, CERN, NASA and ITA. Most of the Sugar software for the One Laptop per Child XO, now developed at Sugar Labs, is written in Python.

Presently, Python 3.2 has been released. But Linux distributions like Fedora, Ubuntu still uses Python 2.7.
(NB:- In this tutorial we will be using Python 2.7)References:
Official Website: http://www.python.org/
Documentation for Python 2.7: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/
Recommended Books:

" Learning Python" by Mark Lutz.
A really big book with more than 1000 pages. Have a look at the book here: "Learning Python"

Or even better, just Google "Python Tutorials". You will get 1000s of books. But I think above three will be more than enough.

Support:

For instant help, use IRC channel : #python
Ask your doubts there. You will get answers in seconds.
( For those who haven't use IRC before: visit http://webchat.freenode.net/, give a nickname you like, enter #python in channel field, type the captcha in captcha field, skip all other fields, then click on connect. You will be led to a chat room where you can ask your doubts. Someone will reply)